White House invites in state lawmakers before 2023 sessions
The White House is playing host to roughly 50 Democratic state lawmakers from 31 states this week as legislatures prepare for their upcoming sessions, aiming to talk over strategy on top issues like climate change, gun violence, abortion rights and voting rights. The aim is to give state lawmakers a to-do list for the upcoming legislative session, though meeting those goals will be nearly impossible in states where Republicans are in control. The meetings come as Democrats are increasingly focused on making inroads in state governments in part through better alignment on top issues, a political tactic that helped the GOP secure leadership in 23 states. The legislators will meet with Biden administration policy experts on drug control, veterans affairs, environmental quality, criminal justice, violence prevention and climate change. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Manuel Balce Ceneta)

‘This is what we need’ Gov. Inslee says of Catalyst Project opening this week
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and state officials heralded the opening of the much anticipated, and at times controversial, hotel-turned-supportive housing project in the West Hills neighborhood on Monday as a crucial step forward for establishing housing for homeless people in Spokane and across the state. Inslee told a group of a few dozen reporters, government employees and social workers “this Catalyst facility is not a Band-Aid. It is not sweeping people under the rug. It is addressing their permanent long-term problems so that they can be permanently housed, and that is what we need across the state of Washington.” Inslee affirmed his commitment to investing in homelessness solutions in the coming year. “You are going to see very significant ambition and an aggressive approach to this statewide,” he said. “I am very hopeful the Legislature will join me in upping our game in this regard, because the existing funding is not adequate to solve this problem. In the upcoming legislative session you are going to see some big asks of the Legislature and the people of state of Washington to tackle this problem.” Continue reading at The Spokesman Review. (Quinn Welsch)

To address wealth gap, Washington will consider trust fund for low-income children
A new proposal coming to the Washington Legislature for consideration next year aims to break the cycle of poverty that’s trapped families and lift future generations of low-income residents toward a path of financial independence. The Washington Future Fund would create a pool of money that every child born under the state’s Medicaid program, Apple Health, could access a portion of upon adulthood to use toward homeownership, education or pursuing a small business. Pioneering a bold idea to narrow the wealth gap, Washington would be one of the first states to create a trust fund program for babies born into low-income families. The trusts are intended to even the financial playing field for lower-income residents by providing a chance to catch up to their wealthier peers. Continue reading at Associated Press. (Rachel La Corte)

Associated Press
Scientists call for action to help sunflower sea stars
To address wealth gap, Washington will consider trust fund for low-income children (Stonier, Trudeau)
Inslee touts new housing program for Spokane’s homeless

Bellingham Herald
Lummi Nation, UW partnership trains medical students how to care for Native populations
Rules set to cut carbon emissions by 20% over next 12 years in Washington state

Capital Press
WDFW: Conservation laws failing, higher standard needed

Columbian
Editorial: In Our View: Emission reduction requires pragmatic solutions (Liias)

Everett Herald
Sheriff’s new database gives window into Snohomish County crime rates
Already, worst flu season in years has claimed 3 in Snohomish County
Editorial: Start work now to power electric vehicle future (Liias)

News Tribune
Stage set for newspaper carrier, lead TPD officer to testify in Sheriff Troyer’s trial

Olympian
Military Investigates Hundreds of Cases of Domestic Extremism Within Ranks
Busy, sometimes overwhelmed Providence St. Peter Hospital unveils 51 new patient beds

Puget Sound Business Journal
House report takes aim at fintechs for processing fraudulent PPP loans

Seattle Times
Seattle approved Fort Lawton housing years ago. So why is nothing happening?
Federal judge OKs Oregon’s new high-capacity magazine ban
White House invites in state lawmakers before 2023 sessions

Skagit Valley Herald
Mount Vernon hires social workers to work in police department
Concrete boil water advisory lifted

Spokesman Review
Spokane City Council approves cap on what food delivery services can charge restaurants
‘This is what we need’ Gov. Inslee says of Catalyst Project opening this week
Legal weed in Washington turns 10 this week. What challenges lie ahead in the next decade?

Tri-City Herald
Overnight snow closes Tri-Cities schools How much fell and how long will it stick around? 

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Foster care in Walla Walla sees new improvements with help of grant

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Drivers not following the rules of the road leading to more closures on Snoqualmie Pass, WSDOT says
Mount Vernon School District discusses new school calendar to reduce burnout in students, teachers
Newspaper carrier who says he was targeted by Pierce County sheriff expected to testify

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Community to say goodbye to fallen Bellevue officer
Plan to cut 80 vacant police officer positions from Seattle city budget faces pushback
Councilmember calls for light rail ‘starter line’ from Bellevue to Redmond
Influenza has already killed at least 13 in state; earliest outbreak in years
DSHS set to close portion of state-run Rainier School in Buckley
Bolt Creek Fire declared economic injury disaster; applications open for low-interest disaster loans

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
REAL ID enforcement delayed again until 2025 

KNKX Public Radio
Some freeways may withstand a major quake per new UW modeling
Supreme Court hears clash between LGBTQ and business owners’ rights

KUOW Public Radio
The unique mental health challenges facing farmers and farmworkers

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane County Commissioners adopt budget for 2023
Catalyst Project opens doors for a preview prior to Camp Hope residents moving in
Spokane renter, landlord protection program vote pushed to January

Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington health officials say flu deaths, hospitalizations on the rise

MyNorthwest
Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer’s wife will not testify as trial enters second week
Missing Indigenous Person Alert issued for 12-year-old girl in Burien
Addressing misconceptions about WA’s new vehicle registration law
Trader Joe’s settles with City of Seattle after labor laws violated

The Stranger
Opinion: Pedersen and Nelson Have Abandoned Governance for Theater

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